From PfefferminzGreen to N’NINKIE

For 20 years, PfefferminzGreen has worked closely with local communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, proving that Community-Led solutions are far more sustainable than those imposed externally. Based on these learnings, PfefferminzGreen has developed and is now launching N’NINKIE, a platform bridging the gap between theory and practice.

N’NINKIE amplifies the voices of African changemakers to tackle local challenges with solutions rooted in their unique insights to drive sustainable progress from within.

Who we are

We are a group of like-minded people from both the Global South and Global North, united by a deep passion for the African continent and its rich, vibrant cultures and communities. With diverse backgrounds and expertise, we collaborate with a shared aspiration for an Africa that thrives independently—free from foreign aid.

Panel of Experts
N’NINKIE Team

At N’NINKIE, we are shifting the power by spotlighting local changemakers and Indigenous solutions that drive sustainable change from within. Our mission is to amplify how empowered communities are leading their own development. We partner with local communities, activists, policymakers, and scholars across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Sierra Leone, who are at the forefront of shaping their own futures and fostering long-term progress rooted in African-based strategies. 

Meet the N’NINKIE Team 

  • Director & Founder

    The core of Stella’s work has been deeply rooted in addressing social inequalities through culturally informed and community-driven approaches. Her in-depth ethnographic research in Sierra Leone analyzed the limitations of Western social work practices when applied in sub-Saharan African contexts, underscoring the need for a social work theory grounded in local traditions and cultural practices.

    Stella earned her PhD in Educational Sciences from the University of Hamburg, focusing on intercultural contexts. In her book, 'Indigenous Social Work,' she highlights the resilience and strength of the existing social support systems found within local communities across Sierra Leone and many other African countries.

    Through her 20 years of work with PfefferminzGreen, Stella demonstrated that community-led solutions are far more sustainable than those imposed externally. Based on these learnings, PG has developed and is now launching N’NINKIE, a platform, bridging the gap between theory and practice. N’NINKIE amplifies the voices of African changemakers to tackle local challenges with solutions, rooted in their unique insights to drive sustainable progress from within.

  • Chairman

    With 13 years of experience in the Amazonian Initiative Movement and a background in Development Studies, Ibrahim is deeply committed to humanitarian work. Beyond his role, he cultivates cashew and mango trees on his family’s farmland in the Mataska community, where he has ancestral ties to the chiefdom. Known for his patience and wisdom, Ibrahim guides all N’NINKIE meetings into creative & collaborative sessions. 

  • Planning Officer

    As the longest-serving member of our local partner NGO, Alpha brings a wealth of experience and structured guidance to the N’NINKIE team. His expertise ensures seamless coordination and a sustainable workflow, contributing to the team’s long-term efficiency. While driving operational efficiency across all projects, Alpha continues deepening his knowledge through his community development studies. 

  • Antje de Vries, a chef, nutritional economist, author, lecturer has been nomadically traveling around the world for 10 years, learning, teaching and connecting people through food. With a focus on nature, traditional techniques and cooking as a culture, she collects ideas and solutions for a good, socially and ecologically sustainable future. Antje develops food and beverage concepts with a focus on culinary identity design, plant forward cuisine, strategy development and culinary storytelling. Antje sees cuisine, food and culinary delights as the core and allegory of our social challenges. She is part of the associations n‘ninkie, Chickpeace and Cuisines sans Frontières Switzerland as well as chairwoman of Küche ohne Grenzen Germany and supports projects globally to #shiftthepower.

  • Co-Founder

    Rugiatu Neneh Turay is the Founder and Director of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM) and a tireless advocate for women’s rights. With over 20 years of unwavering leadership, including serving as Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Rugiatu has championed transformative change at both the grassroots and regional levels in Sierra Leone. Her work spans critical issues such as gender equality, human rights, education, and community empowerment.

    A driving force behind bottom-up approaches to social change, Rugiatu Neneh Turay has been a long-standing partner of PfefferminzGreen, ensuring the projects of AIM build toward self-sufficiency. As co-founder of N’NINKIE, Rugiatu Neneh Turay has played a pivotal role in setting the initiative's approach, objectives, and ultimate goal of ending aid dependency. Her contributions to advancing women’s rights and holistic development have also positioned her as an indispensable member of the N’NINKIE Panel of Experts. 

  • Project Manager

    Fitsame is an experienced project manager specializing in sustainable development and cross-cultural collaboration. She holds an MA in Childhood & Children's Rights from the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and a BA in Business Management and Public Administration from Addis Ababa University. Her expertise spans project planning, partnership development, and capacity building.

    Since June 2022, Fitsame has served as a Project Manager at PfefferminzGreen e.V., where she works closely with local partners in Sierra Leone and Ethiopia to foster collaboration, engage communities, and drive meaningful change. She is committed to empowering local communities, addressing social inequalities, and ensuring the long-term success of sustainable development initiatives. 

    Beyond her work in community development, Fitsame is passionate about inclusive storytelling. She advocates for the cultural representation for African children in Europe by publishing bilingual and inclusive children's books. Through her work, she fosters diversity and social inclusion, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and celebrated.

  • Media & Communication Officer

    With his infectious energy and creative vision, Abdul Raman captures the heart of N’NINKIE projects through compelling visual storytelling, shining a light on their impact through social media. With a strong educational background and hands-on experience in development work, Abdul Raman has been an integral part of N’NINKIE from the very beginning, making his creative contributions indispensable

  • Peer Educator

    Drawing from her international experience in the non-profit sector, Rebecca brings invaluable expertise and a deep commitment to gender issues. She fosters meaningful knowledge exchange within the N’NINKIE team, organising regular educational sessions where skills, abilities, and insights flow freely, fostering collective growth within the team. Alongside pursuing her second master’s, Rebecca is the first female N’NINKIE student selected for the Erasmus mobility program, demonstrating her relentless drive for learning.

  • Research Assistant

    Musa recently graduated in Development Studies from Port Loko University. With his third bachelor’s degree and ancestral ties to Sierra Leone’s first Prime Minister, who led the country to independence, he brings valuable insights to the team. Musa plays a key role in collecting and recording data, both in the field and in the office, while his motivation drives the team forward. His drive for learning made him the first male student selected for the Erasmus mobility program. 

  • Finance Officer

    Idris’s authentic and honest personality led him to take on the responsibility of safeguarding all N’NINKIE finances and resources. With a background in accounting and community engagement and his sharp eye for detail make him an invaluable source of insight within the team. Beyond managing finances, Idris enriches discussions fostering both accountability and meaningful connections within N’NINKIE.

  • Academic Research Team Member & Outreach Coordinator

    Isabella brings a strong academic foundation in qualitative research and community-centered approaches to development. She is passionate about contributing to the decolonization of academia, with a particular focus on grounding community development in Indigenous Knowledge. Her work emphasizes bridging theory and practice to create more inclusive and effective development models.

    At N’NINKIE, Isabella plays a dual role. She offers critical perspectives that support the organization’s leadership and the research team's work and coordinates outreach and engagement with individuals and organizations in the Peace and Justice sector in The Hague. Her efforts promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and strategic partnerships. 

Panel of Experts

The heart of the N'NINKIE approach lies in our Panel of Experts, a diverse and dynamic group dedicated to shaping and guiding our projects with their deep local knowledge and expertise. 

The purpose of the panel is to shape The N’NINKIE approach by leveraging collective expertise to develop grounded and effective strategies. We aim to promote #ShiftThePower in Sierra Leone and beyond by collaborating on innovative solutions for sustainable development cooperation. Additionally, the panel will work with policymakers to drive impactful change in both the Global North and South.

  • Rugiatu Neneh Turay

    Founder & Director Amazonian Initiative Movement // Co-Founder N’NINKIE

    “N’NINKIE’s mission &vision demonstrates the need to go from Localization to Local solutions (#ShiftThePower). It not only highlights the achievements of these organizations but also brings vital attention to their contributions in creating a better future for all in a sustainable way, which ultimately demands less interference of ‘Western’ Foreign Aid.“

  • Fawulay Y. Marah

    Lecturer Port Loko University College // Community Development Studies

    “It's essential to challenge the stereotype that depicts Africa solely as a continent in misery or in need. Instead, we should celebrate its innovation, resilience and potential. True development in Africa begins with amplifying the voices of local communities, recognizing their unique insights and solutions to solving their problems.”

  • Tyson S. Conteh

    Film Maker & Storyteller

    “N’NINKIE exemplifies the minds of us Africans.

    There is no one superior than us to develop Africa. N’NINKIE embodies a belief in local ideas to accomplish greater outcomes.

    Therefore, we say N’Ninkie, WE TAKE THE LEAD.”

  • Tommy Garnett

    Founder & Director Environmental Foundation for Sierra Leone

    “The vision of N’Ninkie embodies the aims and aspirations of every progressive African- that true and lasting solutions to Africa’s many social, economic, and political challenges become a reality with genuine, enlightened, and compassionate leadership by Africans. This is as true for Sierra Leone as it is for the rest of our continent.”

  • Mohamed Haji-Kella

    Deputy Minister of Social Welfare in Sierra Leone

    “N’NINKIE empowers Africans to share their stories and visions for our continent's future by fostering connections and collaborations, creating a self-driven knowledge hub aimed at achieving sustainable development for Africa.”